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Arian shook his head slightly at Gwen’s question “I don’t mind at all” he said quietly, he looked from Gwen to Orah adding “If you’re both okay with it I’m okay with it” before tilting his head slightly to look at the girl with the interesting coloured hair his voice friendly as he said quietly “I’m Arian, by the way.”

He thought he’d heard the girl introduce herself as Sirce or had it been Sirsce? He’d been trying not to listen in too much – or at least as much as the crowed place would let him. “And I was hoping to have a look at the bear my…”

His voice tailed off as he heard someone start shouting about caging humans, wincing slightly as the voice cut off only to be followed by a thump. “I hope so” as he looked in the direction Gwen was looking in only to recognise the woman who had fallen off the bench.

Oh god she was that weird woman who had been one of the candidates for City Councillor during the election – Hayley Jones. Hard to forget her actually given that one of her policies had seemed to involve burning private schools down. “I… Recognise her” recognised but didn’t know and didn't particularly want to rectify that “That’s Miss Jones – she tried to stand for City Council during the elections as a councillor.” Arian’s support and vote had gone to Penelope Seneca.

He shook his head as Hayley asked for a band aid thinking she was directing the question at the group rather than to Gwen “Sorry, I don’t have one Miss” he said quietly, hoping that he’d managed to hide the wince as she then seemed to try and attempt to lick the elbow. “Maybe one of the carnival officials here will know where the first aid kit is though.”

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He’d known he was going to regret this even as he’d opened his mouth to make the offer. Something that was confirmed as not only did Ricky accept his offer, but then had almost immediately seen fit to give him a bear hug – one of those rib-cracking ones – Marlin was pretty sure that he’d felt his ribs creak.

He’d been about to suggest that they should trying just picking a path and pressing forward, when he’d heard a girl’s voice calling out (Eliza), followed by what he’d thought to be another voice. Ricky had taken it as a cue to slap him on the back and suddenly charge off.

And at that point Marlin had seriously contemplated taking the opportunity to leave Ricky too it, before following after the other with a sigh. It wasn’t hard to follow the direction that the blond had taken.

A few turns and he’d caught up to Ricky and the blond had managed to find a couple more people – a blond kid and a taller (well relative to the kid) boy who introduced himself as Isha.

“I guess so” he told Isha in answer to his everyone getting lost comment. “We’re both lost too” the ‘we’re’ referring to both himself and Ricky. “And nice to meet you, I’m Marlin.” He kept out of arm’s distance from Ricky – he could do without any more bear hugs or back slaps.

She arched an eyebrow and there was nothing she could do to hide her surprise when Bischofite made such a suggestion. She parroted, something that was quite unlike her, but it was something she felt was worth repeating. "Cut the brakes? Well, aren't we the murderous little one..."

She couldn't help but chuckle at just how bloodthirsty he appeared, and like with Serpentine earlier in the month, this somewhat renewed her faith in her Negaverse. Still, as much as she was amused by the sight of a cart flying off and crashing into the ground in a sea of flames, she felt like she was obligated to put a halt to that notion immediately. "That's a negative, I'm afraid. The resources we'd lose to that little stunt, not to mention the possibility of harming one of our allies, wouldn't be worth the sight of their faces skewed in horror."

However, not to disappoint him too much, she did cut him a little slack. "But... it is a good idea. Perhaps that can be our finale if we collect enough in the initial attack."

Her attention was brought to the prickling of a new Chaotic energy signature, and she glanced towards the Corrupted senshi that had arrived. She recognized him by his appearance but there was no name to that face, but she knew he was definitely present for the recent meeting. She returned his greeting with one of her own, and she tried to hide just how amused she was with the turn out of this event. "Captain Mica. This is Lieutenant Bischofite. And tonight, we will be gathering energy and taking starseeds."

It would figure that they'd send her a bloodthirsty lieutenant and a Corrupted senshi that looked like he had no idea what they were really doing. But she'd accept them both, so long as they did their jobs. "I'm assuming both of you understand how to accomplish both already?"




Buddingtonite wasn't too surprised to hear of Amethyst's admittance to not knowing what a starseed was, and while he didn't think ill of the lieutenant for this, he couldn't help but allow his amused grin to be seen. It felt like just yesterday that Benitoite was showing him the ropes, and look at him now! It made his chest swell with pride, and he figured there was enough time to give him the lowdown before Painite gave the order. "Long story short, starseeds are... a person's soul. Their essence, contained in a tiny, beautiful, candy like crystal, though I am told never to eat it unless absolutely necessary."

Which probably meant that Amethyst didn't know how to pull one. Which likely meant that he'd have to teach him on the go, or leave all of the starseed pulling for himself and give him a few spares. Either way, it was something that he was willing to do.

He turned to Titan when the muscular wonder made his approach, and he allowed him to see his delight. "Ah, so Spec-Ops decided to send over muscles! That's definitely going to be a load off my mind."

In response to Titan's wise words, Buddingtonite gave a nod, and despite his words, he flashed Amethyst a friendly wink. "And don't worry, my beefy friend. All three of us, and if we're lucky, a few extra hands, or tentacles, will be doing our share."




Gwen looked over Haley's wounds and while they didn't seem anything too serious, it was still wince-worthy. She was no doctor and she had suffered worse wounds, both on and off the battlefield as a Senshi, but that didn't make her any less passionate in helping her out. Arian might not have had a bandaid, but Gwen felt that she might have had something that could help. "I don't have any band-aids, but I think I got a napkin, and one of Anandi's rubberbands. I'm sure she won't mind me using it."

It didn't take much to ghetto-rig a little tourniquet for Haley, and her attention was completely focused on helping Haley out, not once noticing the one with the crop in her hand that had watched the girl's tumble. "Name's Gwen. Here, will this help?"






Scott didn't want to go into the House of Mirrors, but there was no other choice now. The time to attack was drawing close, and he didn't want to be late. So, he made his way in, not looking around him in fear of spooking himself out with the sheer amount of mirrors that were surrounding him. This place was a bit creepy, even before having to transform and attack... maybe he could use this place to his advantage after all?

He heard a familiar voice, and he looked towards Isha with dread in his bright green eyes. It was the kid he once mistook for a figment of his imagination from the Blockbuster! What was his name... it rolled off the tip of his tongue, as he exclaimed, "Isha?! What are you doing here? Don't you know it's not-"

He had to cut himself off before he said anything worse, and he just about bit his tongue, before returning back to his flustered and meek state. "It's entirely too scary in here, you know... wouldn't you rather be at the rides... or... at home, watching a movie?"

A soft round of laughter came from the red-haired kid, one of his hands coming up to his hip, and the other one scratching his head a bit.

"Aren't we just a wonderful sort of group! Atleast being lost with friends is better than being lost alone, am I right? And it's a pleasure to meet you too, Marlin." It was beginning to look like he was going to have to be a tour guide.. Er.. perhaps the opposite. The Exit guy! The Escapist! Yes, that sounded like a great title.

"Wha..?" He heard his voice being called again, and whipped his head around, leaning a bit around the other people before him as he caught a glimpse of someone else he knew, someone he had gotten to know pretty well, in his opinion, and someone he rather liked!

"Scott! Hey man! It's good to see you again!" Maneuvering his way about the crowd that seemed to have centralized at what he figured was about the center of the house of mirrors, he stopped before Scott, simply grinning at him.

"Well, what other reason would I be here? Fun, you know?! It's a carnival, it's time to relax and enjoy, right?" His voice was just brimming with excitement as he bounced slightly in his spot. Doing something awesome AND seeing all of his... Acquaintances but definitely going to be friends soon people again, and even meeting new ones.. This was simply proving to be an awesome day!

"Scary? No, not so much, I mean, how often do you really get to come to one of these?" Though the look of panic that he saw in the other's eyes just didn't sit well with him. Was his friend really that frightened? If that's the case.. Then maybe it would be best to take him and exit? A hand reached out to gently take Scott's, coming in close, but with all seriousness, whispering to him.

"If it's frightening you, I don't mind leading you out. That is.. If you're even lost, my friend."

"Nice to meet you too, Arian!" She smiled happily. "I like your hair, too!" Sirsce may as well spread the compliments around. He seemed nice enough, if a little bit shy. Maybe not shy, just... quiet? Introverted? Something like that.

Sirsce was about to suggest that a journey through the sea of people to the bear's cage sounded necessary, when the sounds of protest distracted her. She heard something about caging humans, and freeing animals, intermixed with far too much stomping. Her declarations sounded muddled over the dull roar of conversations, and soon after her protest started, the source of the uproarious act took a tumble to the floor. Sirsce flinched, and a grimace remained on her features afterward. "Um, are you okay?" That looked like it hurt, but thankfully Gwen had some serious first aid skills.

The other girl, Orah, contributed the bandaid to the injury, and Sirsce thanked her in kind. She was surrounded by people who came prepared for such adverse events, so why couldn't that preparedness rub off on her? Sirsce sighed. At least now she had another name for a face, thanks to overhearing her speak to the injured girl.

Sirsce knelt to the floor and watched Gwen work out a tourniquet with interest. "Where'd you learn to do that?" It looked like she had significant experience in first aid - something Sirsce desperately lacked, and as Leda, she realized the importance of acquiring those skills. "Oh wait, she's missing something!" Hastily Sirsce reached into her pocket, tugged out a sharpie pen, and drew a lopsided smiley-face on the napkin of the tourniquet. "There!" Happy with her contribution, Sirsce capped the pen and shoved it back into her pocket.



Bischofite understood her point, demonstrated it in a curt nod of his head. He'd accept the idea of using it as a finale, should they succeed in their insidious ambush. At least she didn't object to the idea wholeheartedly, chastise him for even suggesting it, and then proceed to lecture him on morals and how civilians were the innocents haplessly thrust into the center of this war. Benitoite would've, without a shadow of a doubt. Thus, despite her cancelation of that incarnation of the plan, he still accepted her. She still held merit in his eyes.

He only hoped she wouldn't diminish what was left, raze it to the ground in a show of moral acceptance.

Bischofite considered offering another idea, even began to speak, when an unusual-looking senshi arrived on the scene. He froze, looked the newcomer over, listened to the boy burn his ears with useless drivel, and failed to suppress the growing snarl that threatened to twist his features. Was this kid mad or just entirely too stupid to be involved in this plan? He couldn't tell, couldn't hazard a guess. Perhaps he just didn't care to. "Typhon," he emphasized in a vitriolic tone. "You're a goddamned moron." He didn't seek to take it further, lest they spoil their cover with dissent.

With a sigh, he shifted his attention back to Captain Mica. He needed a smoke, but he'd have to suppress the urge through grinding his teeth and curling his fingers against his palm relentlessly. She had a question that warranted an answer, not the dumbfounded stare offered by their assigned corrupted senshi. Silently he pulled a starseed from the pocket of his uniform, in a wordless declaration of competence. "Strangely, I haven't been taught energy gazzering." He offered a crooked smile.

It was almost humorous to see the two's reaction to each other, but Mica wasn't laughing. Instead, she was plotting out their strategy and trying to think of some good use for the two of them. Unlike the lieutenant, Mica had little qualms in working with the Corrupted senshi, and her mind briefly flashed to Euclase and how she was fairing. She'd have to make a point to see her again sometime... perhaps after this attack?

"So, Bischofite, you will pull starseeds. Don't worry about draining energy just yet- there's no time to properly teach you and I'd think you'd enjoy ripping a little more." She said with a grin. Call it a hunch, but pulling starseeds was right up his alley. She then looked to Typhon, her voice stern and to the point. "And you will gather energy. Is that suitable?"




Gwen was never opposed to being helpful and she figured it was the least she could do. With Orah's help, they managed to get Haley's elbow patched up and Gwen was all too willing to share her experience with Sirsce when she asked. "It was something my sister would do when I'd get hurt when I was young and we didn't have bandages on hand. She'd lose a lot of rubberbands because of that. I was a little wild in my days."

And to this day, depending on who asked. Orah and Arian knew that much, but Gwen wasn't willing to drag either Sirsce or Haley into her little secret. To her knowledge, they were simply civilians, and it was never a good idea to be announcing such secrets in public, especially given the whole misconception that the media seemed to be spreading.

She gave Haley a strange look when she asked why she was here, and Gwen, having no control over her mouth and what came out, answered immediately, "Uh... if you're going to put it that way, then I guess we're here to watch them be imprisoned. I wouldn't recommend releasing them now... not unless you want a lot of mauled people on your hands."

Gwen herself was an animal lover, but she never took it that far. At least, she hope she hadn't. If she did, then she wished someone would have told her! But regardless of this, Gwen was eager to put some distance in between them now, and she started moving towards the bear, waving her hands in a manner that hoped that her friends would follow her. She was here to look at a bear, not be lectured about 'animal cruelty' and the likes.




Just like with the two girls, Scott felt that he failed, as Isha didn't seem all too bothered by the notion of danger and shrugged off his concern. And being that Scott didn't like anyone calling him chicken, he couldn't help but huff at the very notion of it. He rejected his touch, more out of pride, and his words were a little louder than he thought they'd be.

"I'm not scared! I just... really think that this whole idea is stupid and that I'd rather be watching a stupid movie instead of being here!"

By this time, Scott was not only embarrassed but frustrated, and before anyone could laugh at him or Isha could stop him, he spun on his heels and stormed towards what he assumed was the 'Exit'. Not that he could leave or back out of participating in this event, but to see his efforts in warning others just shrugged off like that, it really, REALLY made him mad. Maybe he did want to participate? Maybe he did want to get a little revenge now? He was determined to hold onto that anger, if only to fuel him for the incoming attack.

He hoped that no one had seen him bump into a mirror, and he threw his hands in the air with a shout and continued to stomp away. "Gah! I hate carnivals!"

"Oh, yeah, it's the um.. You hold your left hand against the wall, and just keep going. You'll eventually find your way out... I'm sorry, But I have to go! I'll talk to you all later!" He couldn't just leave his friend like that, even if he was angry at him. It was his misunderstanding that he didn't want to be here, and he had not mean to embarrass his friend, as it seemed like he had done. All he wanted to do was help! Rather than just letting him go, and staying the with majority of the people here, Isha ran after Scott, trying to keep up with him.

For a moment, he had thought that there was no hope in trying to find the other once again.. With his angry shout bouncing off of the walls, and a glimpse of his blonde hair in the dark room, Isha managed to finally catch up with the one who had left him behind.

"Scott, Scott, wait, please!" He wasn't out of breath, no, but he was slightly panicked, not wanting the other to think that he didn't care about what he was talking about.

"Listen, if you really would rather be watching a movie, then how about we go and do that? It's not like either of us really have to be here, right? And besides, I'm still a bit queasy from a little incident with a corn dog and a tilt-o-whirl earlier which is a story for another time. I'm all up for getting out of here and putting up something fantastically awful on my screen back home, so what do you say? I can get my ride to come pick us up at any time!" Isha was honestly more attached to Scott than anyone else at the park, so if he wanted to go ahead and leave together, he'd do so without even batting an eye.

Michael’s response was hardly reassuring. Though it wasn’t very informative, the fact that he refused to give her a straight “yes” or “no” seemed to her to imply that the answer to her unspoken question was probably “yes.” Otherwise, why bother holding onto the information?

And that did not make her very comfortable at all.

It was one thing to imagine a bunch of young kids running around the city fighting monsters and villains that might be out of their league. It was another thing entirely to suspect a kid she knew of being involved, and then to have those suspicious all but confirmed with the kid’s uninformed mother standing right there.

Marissa frowned as she took her spot at the opposite end of the table, slipping in the necessary amount of quarters on her way.

“I don’t plan on giving you anything,” she said, but reconsidered soon after and asked, “What do you want?” in full knowledge that she’d left him an opening to further harass her.